Contemporary Culture: Contextual Dimension of Vetiver Grass Group Members in Phayao Province.

Abstract

This article focuses on studying the context and contemporary culture of vetiver members in Phayao Province. The data were collected from related documents, observation, sound recording and photography, recording of interview data, and focus group. The instrument was a structured interview form that was used to interview the informants. The results showed that members of the group came from different families where as the context of each family was different. In order to adjust themselves to the society, member must have learned to understand their roles and responsibilities so that the group activities could be successfully done. There were six related contexts obtained from the interviews of the vetiver product group members as follows: 1) Talent and Pursuit; 2) Patience; 3) Humility; 4) Thinking and Decision Making; 5) Loving; and 6) Environment of vetiver grass group.  The contexts of the groups were related with the contemporary culture. It was found that the members needed to study the unique culture of the group, brought in aspects of Thai culture from different times to integrate with the design process to convey it as a product through the symbols and representation of Thai culture as the designers should be aware of the value of Thai culture.